How to Play a Triple Hi-Hat Lift

Proper hi-hat playing is essential to a versatile drummer. Rock drummers don't use the cymbal the same way a jazz drummer would, and neither of them are anything like a country drummer. It's in your best interest to learn as many different beats as possible because you never know when they might come in handy. One popular twist on the hi-hat lift is the triple.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Bass drum
• Snare drum
• Hi-hat cymbal
• Drum stick

1. Practice your dexterity with the hi-hat. Discover what happens when you press the pedal down slightly and what happens when you press it all the way down. Become comfortable with the different sounds different positions make.

2. Play a standard 4/4 rock beat. This means keep your hi-hat closed, which means keep your pedal up and play eighth notes while hitting the bass drum on beats one and three and hitting the snare on beats two and four.

3. Incorporate a hi-hat lift on the first eighth note of beats one, two and three. Immediately close the hi-hat after striking. This will give it the common hissing effect.

4. Lift your cymbal only a crack while performing step three. This beat only needs the hi-hat to be cracked slightly apart. This allows you to raise and lower the cymbal more quickly, since you are playing eighth notes.

5. Mix the triple hi-hat lift into your other beats when you are playing eighth notes. Alternate what beats you lift and how high those lifts go. Different beats are complemented by different hi-hat lifts. What worked for your basic 4/4 beat might sound off during a jazz beat.